Holder device



April 30, 1963 R. VOGEL 3,087,498

HOLDER DEVICE Filed Jan. 16, 1962 INVENTOR. RLIEI EJLF VI] [5 EL. BY

ATTORNEY:

United States Patent (Mike 3,087,498 HOLDER DEVICE Rudolf Vogel, 1140 Laurel Ave, Bridgeport, Conn. Filed Jan. 16, 1962, Ser. No. 166,572 3 Claims. (Cl. 129-23) The present invention relates to a holder device, and has for an object to provide a device of this character which may be molded from synthetic plastic material, and which includes tubular post means which may engage perforated means such as address cards, paper sheets, keys, pocket combs, and the like, and cover means having a cover part integrally supporting said post and an opposed cover part having apertured means for interlocking separable engagement with said post.

A further object is to provide such a device having integral tubular post means provided with a locking groove in its outer end and which lends itself to molding procedures through the ability of the plastic material of tubular form to separate from a groove forming mold through inward elastic yielding of the tubular post permitted by the clearance passage therethrough. A further object is to provide a tubular post integral with one cover part which through its inherent property of elastically yielding inwardly permits the snap engagement of its locking groove with the rim of an aperture provided in the other cover part.

Another object is to provide a holder device including cover parts hingedly connected by a back or spine part which may be molded as a single piece with said parts in flat relation and thereupon hingedly positioned to provide opposed cover parts and a connecting back or spine part, the capability of positioning in a flat plane enabling the outer surfaces of the cover and back or spine parts to be simultaneously printed or embossed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variaitons and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a holder device in its flattened relation;

FIG. 2 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the cover parts in closed interlocked relation;

FIG. 4 is a perspective View showing the holder device in open position with a plurality of loose leaf address cards engaged with the tubular post thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the device in closed position with one of the cards turned into an exposed position, and also showing a key chain loop engaged through the tubular post;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a modification in the form of a loose leaf binder for paper sheets;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing the same in an open position; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 15, the invention is illustrated therein by way of example as embodied in an address card book device. The device is molded in a single piece as by injection molding from suitable plastic material, for example polypropylene, which in its molded state has a degree of stiffness, and the desired resistance to wear, soil and moisture, and elastic yieldability and the capability of flexing along 3,087,498 Patented Apr. 30, 1963 thinned areas. It comprises top and bottom cover panels 10 and 11 of rectangular form and an intermediate back or spine panel 12 joined to the cover panels 10 and 11 by relatively thin wall connection hinge areas 13-13 formed by right angular cross-section V-grooves 14 molded in the upper side of the device as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper side constituting the inner side of the device as seen in the closed position of FIG. 3. In such closed position the sides of the V-grooves abut and thus limit the closed position to one in which the cover and bagk or spine panels are in right angular relation to each 0t er.

At a suitable position upon the bottom cover panel 11, i.e., in the corner defined by one end edge and the outer side edge in the illustrated embodiment, there is integrally connected an upstanding cylindrical and circumferentially continuous tubular post 15, the height of which substantially corresponds to the external Width of the back or spine panel 12, and which is provided at a point spaced from the upper side of the cover panel 11 a distance corresponding to the internal width of the back or spine panel 12 with an annular groove 16 defined at its lower side by a right angular cross-section shoulder 17, at its upper side by a projecting bead 18 of substantially semi-circular cross-section to provide rounded annular lead or wedge surfaces at its upper and lower sides converging to an annular crown surface, and intermediate the shoulder and the bead by an annular neck surface. This tubular post structure with its annular groove 16 lends itself to economical molding procedures, it being pointed out that the passage through the tubular post may be formed by a core pin carried by one part of a two part separable mold and the annular groove 16 may be formed by an annular rib formation in the cylindrical post forming cavity of the other mold par-t, so that as the first part of the mold is separated from the molded piece the core pin is partially withdrawn from the passage through the tubular post, thus providing a clear space inwardly of the annular groove 16 which enables the other mold part to be drawn out of engagement with the post, the grooved end of the post yielding inwardly by virtue of the clear space to enable the groove forming rib of said other mold part to be separated from the groove 16. It is further pointed out that the ability of the grooved end of the post to yield inwardly by virtue of the clear passage therethrough is utilized in connection with the interlocking function of the post, as will presently more fully appear.

The cover panel 10 is provided at a corresponding or registering position to the position of the post 15 upon the cover panel 11 with an aperture 19, the rim of which is provided with a contracted annulus 20 adjacent the upper surface of the cover panel 10, as seen in FIG. 2, this upper surface being the inner surface in the closed position as seen in FIG. 3. The annulus 20 forms a right angle in cross-section with the surface of the cover panel and is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the post '15 and slightly greater than the diameter of the base or neck surface of the annular groove 16. The rim of the aperture is divergent or beveled from the annulus 20, as at 21, to the opposite side of the cover panel 10 to provide a clearance space for receiving the head end 18 of the post in the closed position as seen in FIG. 3, and also to provide a wedge surface to facilitate opening, as will presently more fully appear.

In the operation of engaging the cover part 10 with the post the bead 18 of the post is forced through the reduced annulus 20 of the aperture 19 by wedging engagement of its upper rounded surface therewith and the annulus thereupon snaps into engagement with the annular groove 16 against the right angular shoulder 17 as a result of the ability of the tubular post to yield inwardly. In the closed position the inner surface of the cover panel 10 seats upon the shoulder '17, so that the post presents a uniform diameter cylindrical surface for its full length between the opposed cover panels .10 and 11. In order to separate the cover panel 10 from the post, it is forcibly raised to cause the bead end 18 of the post to yield inwardly as its lower rounded surface wedgingly engages the bevel surface 21 and thereupon passes through the contracted annulus 20 of the aperture 19.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 a plurality of address cards 22 having registering apertures 23 are engaged upon the post and are retained by closing the cover panel into interlocking engagement with the grooved end of the post. A key chain loop 24 of well-known bead form having a separable clasp 25 may be engaged through the tubular post.

In the open position as seen in FIG. 4 the cards 22 may be readily removed and replaced or re-arranged in alphabetical or other desired order. In the closed position as seen in FIG. 5 the stock of cards will be retained in concealed position by providing such cards in sufiicient number as to create frictional pressure between the cover panels and the cards. Either the entirestack of cards or individual cards may be swung into exposed position about the post as a pivot by pressure applied to the exposed end edges of the cards.

In the open position of the holder, with the cover panels and the back or spine panel lying in a common plane, it is possible to simultaneously print or emboss upon the outer surface of all three panels.

In FIGS. 6-8 there is shown an modification of the invention embodied in a loose leaf holder for sheets of note paper or the like, and which comprises top and bottom cover panels 10a and 11a and an intermediate back or spine panel 12a, the cover panel 11a being relatively long to support the stack of note paper sheets or the like 22a, and the cover panel 10a being relatively short to overlie the perforated margin of the sheets. Relatively thin hinge connection areas 13a formed by right-angular cross-section V-grooves 14a connect the cover panels 10a and .11a and the back or spine panel 12a in similar manner to the hinge connections of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 'l-S. A plurality of tubular posts 15 are integrally supported upon the cover panels for engaging the perforations -23 of the paper sheets. Each post is provided with an annular groove '16 and a bead 18 and is adapted to be interlockingly engaged in an aperture .19 in the opposed cover panel in similar manner to the embodiment of FIGS. l-S.

In order to enable the paper sheets to be separated, while still remaining supported upon the tubular posts 15 in the open position of the holder as seen in FIG. 7, certain of the posts are integrally supported upon the cover panel 11a for interlocking engagement with apertures 19 in the cover panel 10a, while certain others are integrally supported upon the cover panel 10a, for interlocking engagement with apertures 19 in the cover panel 11a. In the disclosed embodiment four posts are shown, the two end posts being integrally supported upon the cover panel 111a and the two inner posts being integrally supported upon the cover panel 1011. It will be understood that any number of posts may be provided, depending upon the size of the holder, and that they may be in alternate or other suitable arrangement.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder device, formed of molded plastic material having a degree of stiffness and the capability of yielding elastically, comprising:

(a) a top cover panel having inner and outer sides;

(b) a bottom cover panel having inner and outer sides;

(c) an intermediate back panel having inner and outer sides;

(d) hinge means connecting said back and cover panels along parallel edges thereof, whereby in an open position said panels are in a common plane with their inner sides facing upwardly and in a closed position said cover panels are at right angles to said back panel with their inner sides in spaced parallel opposed relation to each other;

(e) a tubular circumferentially continuous cylindrical post integral with said bottom panel and projecting perpendicularly from its inner side in spaced relation to its hinge connection with said back panel, and having a passage therethrough opening to the upper end of said post and to the outerside of said bottom panel, said post having an external annular groove defined at its lower side by an annular shoulder spaced from the upper end of said post, at its upper side by an annular bead having upper and lower annular wedge surfaces converging outwardly to an annular crown surface, and intermediate said shoulder and bead by an annular neck; and

(f) said top cover panel having an aperture in axial line with said post in said closed position and defined by an annular wall integral with and corresponding in height to the thickness of said top panel and having a reduced diameter annulus adjacent the inner side of said top panel of less diameter than said crown surface of said head and of greater diameter than said annular neck, and said annular wall having a diameter intermediate said annulus and the outer side of said top panel at least equal to the diameter of said crown surface of said bead, whereby said annulus is adapted to have snap engagement into and out of said annular groove through the inward yielding of said bead formation of said tubular post, and said inner side of said top panel is adapted to seat upon said annular Shoulder in said closed position.

2. A holder device, formed of molded plastic material having a degree of stiffness and the capability of yielding elastically, comprising:

(a) a top cover panel having inner and outer sides;

(b) a bottom cover panel having inner and outer sides;

(0) an intermediate back panel having inner and outer sides;

(d) hinge means connecting said back and cover panels along parallel edges thereof, whereby in an open position said panels are in a common plane with their inner sides facing upwardly and in a closed position said cover panels are at right angles to said back panel with their inner sides in spaced parallel opposed relation to each other;

(e) a tubular circumferentially continuous cylindrical post integral with said bottom panel and projecting perpendicularly from its inner side in spaced relation to its hinge connection with said back panel, and having a passage therethrough opening to the upper end of said post and to the outer side of said bottom panel, said post being of a height above the outer side of said bottom panel substantially equal to the width of the outer side of said back panel and having an external annular groove defined at its lower side by an annular shoulder spaced from the upper end of said post a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of said top panel, at its upper side by an annular bead having upper and lower annular wedge surfaces converging outwardly to an annular crown surface, and intermediate said shoulder and bead by an annular neck; and

(1) said top cover panel having an aperture in axial line with said post in said closed position and defined by an annular wall integral with and corresponding in height to the thickness of said top panel and having a reduced diameter annulus adjacent the inner side of said top panel of less diameter than said crown surface of said head and of greater diameter than said annular neck, and said annular wall having 5 6 a diameter intermediate said annulus and the outer said bead is semi-circular in cross-section, and said Wall side of said top panel at least equal to the diameter of said aperture is inclined outwardly from said annulus of said crown surface of said bead, whereby said to the outer side of said top panel for wedging engageannulus is adapted to have snap engagement into ment by said bead in said closed position. and out of said annular groove through the inward 5 yielding of said bead of said tubular post, said bead References Cited in the file Of this Patent is adapted to be disposed entirely within said aper- UNITED STATES PATENTS ture intermediate said annulus and the outer side of said top panel in said closed position, and said gi fi 5 inner side of said top panel is adapted to seat upon 10 2572703 D 3 1951 said annular shoulder in said closed position. 2:878:815 Pluckebaum Man 1959 3. The holder device as defined in claim 2, wherein 

1. A HOLDER DEVICE, FORMED OF MOLDED PLASTIC MATERIAL HAVING A DEGREE OF STIFFNESS AND THE CAPABILITY OF YIELDING ELASTICALLY, COMPRISING: (A) A TOP COVER PANEL HAVING INNER AND OUTER SIDES; (B) A BOTTOM COVER PANEL HAVING INNER AND OUTER SIDES; (C) AN INTERMEDIATE BACK PANEL HAVING INNER AND OUTER SIDES; (D) HINGE MEANS CONNECTING SAID BACK AND COVER PANELS ALONG PARALLEL EDGES THEREOF, WHEREBY IN AN OPEN POSITION SAID PANELS ARE IN A COMMON PLANE WITH THEIR INNER SIDES FACING UPWARDLY AND IN A CLOSED POSITION SAID COVER PANELS ARE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID BACK PANEL WITH THEIR INNER SIDES IN SPACED PARALLEL OPPOSED RELATION TO EACH OTHER; (E) A TUBULAR CIRCUMFERENTIALLY CONTINUOUS CYLINDRICAL POST INTEGRAL WITH SAID BOTTOM PANEL AND PROJECTING PERPENDICULARLY FROM ITS INNER SIDE IN SPACED RELATION TO ITS HINGE CONNECTION WITH SAID BACK PANEL, AND HAVING A PASSAGE THERETHROUGH OPENING TO THE UPPER END OF SAID POST AND TO THE OUTERSIDE OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL, SAID POST HAVING AN EXTERNAL ANNULAR GROOVE DEFINED AT ITS LOWER SIDE BY AN ANNULAR SHOULDER SPACED FROM THE UPPER END OF SAID POST, AT ITS UPPER SIDE BY AN ANNULAR BEAD HAVING UPPER AND LOWER ANNULAR WEDGE SURFACES CONVERGING OUTWARDLY TO AN ANNULAR CROWN SURFACE, AND INTERMEDIATE SAID SHOULDER AND BEAD BY AN ANNULAR NECK; AND (F) SAID TOP COVER PANEL HAVING AN APERTURE IN AXIAL LINE WITH SAID POST IN SAID CLOSED POSITION AND DEFINED BY AN ANNULAR WALL INTEGRAL WITH AND CORRESPONDING IN HEIGHT TO THE THICKNESS OF SAID TOP PANEL AND HAVING A REDUCED DIAMETER ANNULUS ADJACENT THE INNER SIDE OF SAID TOP PANEL OF LESS DIAMETER THAN SAID CROWN SURFACE OF SAID BEAD AND OF GREATER DIAMETER THAN SAID ANNULAR NECK, AND SAID ANNULAR WALL HAVING A DIAMETER INTERMEDIATE SAID ANNULUS AND THE OUTER SIDE OF SAID TOP PANEL AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE DIAMETER OF SAID CROWN SURFACE OF SAID BEAD, WHEREBY SAID ANNULUS IS ADAPTED TO HAVE SNAP ENGAGEMENT INTO AND OUT OF SAID ANNULAR GROOVE THROUGH THE INWARD YIELDING OF SAID BEAD FORMATION OF SAID TUBULAR POST, AND SAID INNER SIDE OF SAID TOP PANEL IS ADAPTED TO SEAT UPON SAID ANNULAR SHOULDER IN SAID CLOSED POSITION. 